5 people killed in 'targeted attack' on newspaper firm in US

- Five people were killed at a local newspaper firm in Annapolis, Maryland, United States

- The perpetrator opened fire in the newsroom of Capital Gazette, killing five people and injuring others

- A suspect has been arrested by the police in connection with the attack

Tragedy struck in Maryland, United States, on Thursday, June 28, when a gunman opened fire in the newsroom of a local newspaper, killing five people and injuring others.

BBC reports that police said that it was a "targeted attack" while staff of the newspaper, Capital Gazette, said the attacker was armed with a shotgun and smoke grenades. He was said to have shot through a glass door into the newsroom.

Legit.ng gathers that a suspect has been held by the police in connection with the attack on the media outlet, which is located in Annapolis, the state capital.

The suspect, who was identified as Jarrod Ramos, was reported to have unsuccessfully sued the newspaper group in 2012 for defamation.

According to report, a white male suspect in his late 30s was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting and was being questioned.

The deputy chief of Anne Arundel County Police, William Krampf, said: "This was a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette."

According to him, the gunman "entered the building with a shotgun and looked for his victims as he walked through the lower level".

Krampf said that an item believed to be an explosive device was found at the premises and was destroyed, adding that it turned out to be smoke bomb. According to him, more than 170 people had been escorted safely from the building, which houses other businesses.

County executive, Steve Schuh, said that the suspect was hiding under a desk in the building when police officers arrived "within 60 seconds" of receiving news of the incident. According to him, there was "no exchange of fire".

Carl Hiaasen, an author and a columnist in Miami Herald, paid tribute to his brother, who was one of the victims.

He wrote on Facebook: "I am devastated and heartsick to confirm the loss of my wonderful brother Rob today in the mass shooting in the newsroom at the Annapolis Capital Gazette. Rob was an editor and columnist at the paper, and one of the most gentle and funny people I've ever known. He spent his whole gifted career as a journalist, and he believed profoundly in the craft and mission of serving the public's right to know the news.

"We called him Big Rob because he was so tall, but it was his remarkable heart and humor that made him larger than all of us. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers tonight. Hug your loved ones like there's no tomorrow."

A reporter, Phil Davis, said: "There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload."

President Donald Trump, who was briefed on the attack, tweeted that his thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their families.